The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-11-12

who had shot dukes keeper as "my dear
creature, " although he afterward hung him.
Fashum has chambers in St. James
street, drives a cab, wears tip, and does
the grand haha style.
My business lay with Leasem. The in
terviews and letters passing were numerous. I
However, it came at last to the following
dialogue
@Well, my dear Mr.. Discount" began
Mr.. Leasem, who hates me like poison,
SIN really very sorry that poor, dear
Molinos-knew his father well; great
man, a perfect gentleman; but you know
what women are, ch, Mr.. Discount? My
client won't advance shilling; she knows
it would only be wasted in low dissipation
Now, don't You think (this was said very
insinuatingly)-don you think he had
better be sent to the workhouse, very COM
Portable accommodations there, can assure
you-meat twice week, and excellent soup;
and then, Mr., Discount, we might consider
about allowing you something for that bill. 7
"Mr. Leasem, can you reconcile it to
your conscience to make such an arrange
ment2 Here's a wife rolling in luxury
and husband starving"
HNo, Mr. Discount, not starving; there
Is. The workhouse, as observed before: be-
sides allow me to suggest that these appeals
to feeling are quite unprofessienal-quite
unprofessional
''But, Mr.. Leasem, touching this prop
erly which the poor man is entitled to p
"Why, there, again, Mr.. D., you must
excuse me; you really must. | don't say
he is; 1 don't say he is not. If you know
he is entitled to property, [ am sure you
know how to proceed. The law is open to
you, Mr.. Discount-the law is open-and
a man of your talent will know how to use
it"
''Then, Mr., Leasem, you mean that |
must. In order to right this starving man,
file bill of discovery to extract from you
the particulars of his rights. You have
the marriage settlement and all the infor-
nation, and you decline to allow pension
or afford any information; the man is to
starve or go to the workhouse.' y
"Why, Mr.. D. you are so quick and
violent. 1t really is not professional /;
but you see (here subbued smile of
triumph) it has been decided that solici-
tor is not bound to afford such information
as you ask to the injury of his client"
'Then you mean that this poor Molinos
may rot and starye, while you keep secret from
him at his wife 5 request, his title to an in
come, and that the court of 'chancery will
hack you in this iniquity."
l keep repeating the words ''starvc,,
because / saw it made my respectable op-
ponent vince.
"Well, then, just listen to me. | know
that in the happy state of your equity law,
chancery can't help my client, but have
another plan: Twill go hence to my Office,
issue writ, take your clients husband in
execution; as soon as he is lodged in Jail
| shall file his schedule in the insolvent
court, and when he comes upfor his dis
charge, | shall put you in the witness box,
and examine you on oath, touching prop
erty of which you know the insolvent to be
possessed, and where will be your privilege
communication then?"
The respectable Leasems face lengthen-
ed in twinkling, his comfortable, conf
dent air vanished, he ceased twiddhng his
gold chain, and, at length, he muttered
Suppose we pay the debt p
"Why, then, Ill arrest him the day after
for another.
"But, my dear Mr.. Discount, surely
such conduct would not quite be respecta-
ble" ),
That's my business ; my client has been
wrouged, l am determined to right him
and when the aristocratic firm Of Leasem
& Fashum takes refuge, according to the
custom of respectable repudiators, in the
cool arbors of the court of chancery, why,
mere bill discounting attorney like David
Discount need not hesitate about cutting
bludgeon out of the insolvent court.
"Well well, Mr.. D., you are so warm
so fiery. We must deliberate; we must
consult You will give me until the day
after tomorrow, and then we'll write you
our final determination. In the mean time
send us copy Of your authority to act for
Mr.. Molinos Fitz-Roy.
OF course l lost no time in getting the
gentleman beggar to sign proper letter.
On the appointed day came communi-
cation with L. and F. seal, which opened,
not without professional eagerness. Itwas
as follows:
"In re Molinos Fitz-Roy and Another.
"Sir-I answer to your application on
behalf of Mr.. Molinos Fitz-Roy, we beg
to inform you that under the administra-
ton of paternal aunt who died intestate,
your client is entitled to 9250O IS Cd,
3 per cents; 9150O los 4d., 3 per cents.
Reduced $1,000 long annuities; $500
bank stock; 93500 India stock, besides
other securities, making up 910, 900, which
we are prepared to transfer over to Mr..
Molinos Fitz-Roy's direction forthwith"
Here was a windfall 1t quite took
away my breath.
At dusk came my gentleman beggar
and what puzzled me was, how to break
the news to him. Being very much OYER
whelmed with business that day, had not
much time for consideration. He came in
rather better dressed than when | first saw
him, with only weeks beard on his chin;
out, as usual, uOb qutec sOuSI. biA hSOA9
had elapsed since our first interview. He
was still the humble, trembling, low-voiced
creature l first knew him.
After prelude, I said, 81 find, Mr.. r.,
you are entitled to something pray, what
do you mean to give me In addition to my
bill, for obtaining it?" He answered rapi-
dily, "Oh, take half if there is fl0O, take
half; if there is 9500, take half
"No, no, Mr.. F., don't do business in
that way 1 shall be satisfied with 10 per
cent
1t was so settled 1 then led him out
into the street, impelled to tell him the
news, yet dreading the effect; not iaring
to make the revelation in my Office, for
fear of a scene.
/ began hesitatingly, "Mr. Fitz-Roy, |
am happy to say that l find you are enti-
tied to 910,0OOw
aTen thousand pounds" he echoed /;
sse1O, 900 p he shrieked He10,000r' he
Yelled, seiaing my arm violently. "You
are a brick. Here cab! cabl' p Several
droyeup-the shout might have been heard
n mile off He iumped in the first.